Tree Planting After Removal: Should You Replant in Orlando?

Name: McCullough Tree Service
Address: 948 Ferne Dr., Longwood, FL, 32779, United States
Telephone: (407) 734-5854
Price range: $$

By: Shelby McCullough| Published: October 22, 2026

TL;DR: Yes, you can usually plant a new tree after removal. Just don’t put it in the same hole. Plant at least 3 feet from the ground-out stump, in clean native soil, and pick a species that won’t get whatever killed the old tree. Inside Orlando city limits, a removal permit may require a replacement tree within 60 days.

Yes, in most yards you can plant a new tree after removal. Just don’t put it in the exact same hole. Tree planting after removal works best at least 3 feet to the side of the ground-out stump, in clean native soil. Pick a species that fits the space and won’t get whatever killed the old tree. In Orlando, the city may even require a new tree.

Below is how an arborist thinks it through: where to plant, when to plant, what local rules say, and when replanting the same spot is a bad idea. This guide is for homeowners in Orlando and nearby neighborhoods like Conway and Pine Castle, where many yards have aging oaks and palms.

Can You Plant a New Tree in the Same Spot as the Old One?

You can, but it’s usually not the best choice. University extension experts say to plant at least 3 feet from the old stump, and farther if the stump was large. Iowa State University Extension also advises against using the exact same spot. Here’s why the old spot works against a young tree:

Grindings tie up nitrogen. Stump grindings are high in carbon. As they break down, they pull nitrogen away from new roots.
Old roots take up room. Big roots stay in the ground after grinding and can crowd a new root ball.
The ground settles. As chips and roots rot, the soil sinks. A tree planted on top can sink and lean with it.
The soil is worn out. The old tree likely used up many of the nutrients a young tree needs.

Pros and cons of replanting the exact same spot

Pro: Shade comes back to the same part of the house or yard.
Pro: The spot is already open to the sky, with no other canopy in the way.
Pro: It may match where a city permit wants the replacement tree.
Con: You have to dig out the grindings and roots and bring in fresh soil first.
Con: The hole can keep settling for months.
Con: Soil-borne disease can carry over to the new tree.
Con: If the old tree failed because it was too close to the roof or power lines, a new one there will hit the same problem.

Does Orlando Require You to Plant a Replacement Tree?

Sometimes. If your City of Orlando tree removal permit calls for replanting, you must plant the replacement tree(s) it names within 60 days. Then you notify the city within 60 days of planting, according to the City of Orlando permit page. The city’s tree ordinance lets the Parks Official set the replacement as a number of trees or caliper inches that give equal environmental value. It also exempts some residential removals under section 163.045, Florida Statutes.

There’s a local catch. Orlando’s rules only apply inside city limits. Many homes in Conway, Pine Castle and Union Park have Orlando mailing addresses but sit outside the city, where county rules apply instead. Check your parcel on the county property appraiser’s site before you assume which rules cover you. If a permit names a species, size or location for the replacement, follow the permit first. Then use the rest of this guide.

Where Should the New Tree Go?

For most yards, the best spot is a few feet to the side of the old stump, or a better spot somewhere else in the yard. Here is how the four main options compare:

Option	Best for	Main drawback	When you can plant
Same hole	Tight yards or a spot a permit names	Most prep work, settling, and disease risk	After grindings and roots are dug out and fresh soil has settled
3+ feet beside the stump	Most yards that want shade in about the same place	Large old roots may still be nearby	Right away, if you can water
New spot in the yard	Old tree was too close to the house, pool or lines	Shade pattern changes	Right away, if you can water
No tree (grass or beds)	Small lots, septic areas, spots under lines	You lose shade, and it may not meet a permit’s replacement condition	After grindings are cleared

Before you pick a spot, look up and look down. UF/IFAS Extension says any tree planted within 20 feet of an overhead power line should be a small species that stays under 25 feet tall. UF/IFAS also says to call 811 for a free underground utility locate before you dig, and to keep trees away from septic systems. In its homeowner guide, it suggests putting small trees 10 to 16 feet from the house and large trees 16 to 22 feet away.

What If the Old Tree Was a Palm or Was Diseased?

Find out what killed the old tree before you choose its replacement. This matters most with palms. Ganoderma butt rot, a deadly fungal disease, lives on in the soil. UF/IFAS does not recommend planting another palm in the same spot unless you take special precautions. All palms can get it, but it is not a main disease of other plant families. So if a cabbage palm or queen palm died of Ganoderma, plant a hardwood or shrub in that spot, or put the new palm somewhere else.

UF/IFAS also says to remove as much of a diseased palm’s stump and roots as you can, or grind the stump. That is one reason stump grinding after a tree removal is worth doing before you replant. For hardwoods that died of rot or pests, an arborist can name the problem and suggest species that resist it.

When Is the Best Time for Tree Planting After Removal in Central Florida?

In Orlando you can plant any time of year, as long as you can keep the tree watered. Watering matters more than the calendar. UF/IFAS research says regularly watered trees in Florida’s warm zones (9 to 11) need about 3 months per inch of trunk diameter to root into the yard. So a 2-inch tree needs about 6 months of care.

For trees planted in spring or summer, UF/IFAS suggests watering 2 to 3 times a week for the first few months.
Light, frequent watering works better than rare, heavy soaking.
Late spring is often dry and hot, so a tree planted then needs the most hand-watering.
Planting near the start of the summer rainy season lets rain do some of the work.
A smaller tree roots in faster and often catches up to a bigger one planted at the same time.

If you plant beside the stump, you don’t have to wait. If you want the exact same hole, give the fresh soil time to settle before you plant.

Why McCullough Tree Service Is a Fit for This Job

McCullough Tree Service is family-owned and operated, based at 948 Ferne Dr in Longwood.

We have 3 ISA-Certified Arborists on staff who can tell you why the old tree failed and what will do well in its place.

We handle tree removal, stump grinding and tree planting, so one crew can take the job from old tree to new.

We are fully insured.

Estimates are always free, and tree service financing options are available.

We work across Orange and Seminole counties, including tree removal in Edgewood, near Pine Castle.

Not sure where your new tree should go? Call McCullough Tree Service at (407) 734-5854 or book a free estimate with an ISA-Certified Arborist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I plant the same kind of tree that was removed?

Usually not if the old tree died of disease or pests, or outgrew its space. A different species that fits the spot’s mature size and resists the old problem is the safer choice.

What size tree should I plant to replace a large tree?

Smaller nursery trees often do better. UF/IFAS research says Florida trees need about 3 months per inch of trunk diameter to establish, so a small tree roots in faster and needs a shorter watering commitment.

Do I need to call 811 before planting a replacement tree?

Yes. UF/IFAS Extension recommends calling 811 for a free underground utility locate before digging. Also find your septic system if you have one and keep the tree away from it.

Can McCullough Tree Service plant the replacement tree?

Yes. Tree planting is one of our services, along with tree removal and stump grinding. An ISA-Certified Arborist can help you pick the species and spot during a free estimate.

Sources

About The Author: Shelby McCullough

With over two decades of experience in the tree industry, Shelby McCullough is a highly skilled certified arborist and the proprietor of McCullough Tree Service. His unparalleled expertise and profound understanding of trees set him apart in his field.

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